Live At Amoeba (CD)

The Civil Wars

Amoeba Review

04/21/2012

The Nashville duo known as the Civil Wars are best experienced live to hear the way Joy Williams and John Paul White’s velvety voices intertwine in surprising ways. They infuse their simple setup of just one guy, one girl and an acoustic guitar with as much precise vocal interplay and subtle prowess as seemingly possible. “Forget Me Not” allows Williams and White to wrap around each other over a bluesy country jangle before reaching an impressive, climactic held note. Just as entertaining is the duo’s onstage banter, as Williams giggles her way through “I’ve Got This Friend,” and their choice covers — on this EP, we get a sexy, slow take on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and an appropriately dramatic reading of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Disarm.” It’s the next best thing to being there with the band.